The Turku Smile projects a future where public architecture fosters a deep human connection between individuals and with the environment. Inspired by Finland’s “Jokaisenoikeus” or freedom to roam, it seamlessly extends the public realm through the lobby, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior, as well as elevating the park experience with lush rooftop gardens. Recognizing the importance of public spaces, the smile has been designed to be inviting, inclusive, and egalitarian as it invites the community and visitors to interact, explore, and feel welcomed.

The dynamic interior space of the lobby, reminiscent of a ship’s hull, flows from the eastern museum plaza to the water board-walk plaza and the Castle Park, reflecting Linnanniemi’s historical past as a port and shipyard.

Turku Smile prioritizes accessibility, ensuring inclusivity for people with disabilities. With all museum exhibitions on the ground level and a lift for universal access to the restaurant and auditorium which overlooks the Turku Castle and park on the second level, creating an environment for everyone to engage fully with the museum’s program.

The interior lobby of the Smile is central to its commitment to inclusion, public engagement, and education. This space not only accommodates essential services like a cafe, restaurant, workshop, information desk, kids playground, coat storage, and museum shop but is also envisioned as a versatile venue; designed to host pop-up, hands-on learning pavilions, and events, creating a dynamic learning environment that encourages interaction and knowledge exchange. Through interactive exhibits, educational programs, and community workshops, the lobby can be transformed into a vibrant space where visitors actively engage with their community, history, art, and the future. The stairs to the second level double as impromptu class gatherings. The main exhibition hall, situated adjacent to the lobby central space, seamlessly connects through expansive mechanical sliding doors, facilitating events and exhibitions to spill out into the public realm using the lobby itself as a venue for hosting exhibition openings and events.

The main exhibition program of the museum has been designed with a “black box” concept, to be pragmatic, flexible and hackable, allowing diverse exhibitions, configurations, and large-scale access from loading to the permanent exhibition spaces.

On the exterior, the new Museum seamlessly extends the pedestrian experience to its roof, creating an organic and multi-purpose public garden that serves as an extension of the proposed Castle Park landscape and experience. This elevated space invites people to explore and engage with nature as well as generating spaces for nature to thrive. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Linnanniemi’s art district, Turku Castle and park, Turku City, IV district, and Ruissalo Island from the upper levels. Integrated amphitheatre steps at the lower levels provide a venue for impromptu gatherings or events with the park and Aura river as a backdrop, and in winter, families can enjoy sliding down the slopes for an added recreational element for the community.

The future extension is built into the design proposal for the museum. Extending to the west museum’s plaza, the design seamlessly integrates another roof module (smile). The completed building maintains a consistent language and seamless public lobby with connection to the water promenade. The future expansion is flexible and would work in its character to extend the desired museum programme of the future.

We are committed to helping the museum deliver its ESG targets, integrating holistic environmental considerations that prioritize biodiversity, ecosystems, as well as technical solutions. Socially, it promotes inclusivity and well-being through thoughtfully designed public spaces that encourage meaningful encounters between people and with nature. The project also strives for transparent decision-making, adhering to high ethical standards.

The Smile prioritizes environmental sustainability through strategies like mechanically regulated natural ventilation, water collection, smart energy systems, and the use of the green roof building mass for insulation to minimize energy consumption. Locally sourced materials, including upcycled options, and a design for disassembly underscore the commitment to sustainability. Emphasizing environmental and health considerations, the project employs healthy, natural materials with a low carbon footprint, such as the wood ceiling, stone pavements and bricks of the internal boxes. The project aspires to embrace smart technology systems to enhance the visitor experience employing solutions for real-time information sharing such as implementing dynamic lighting and systems to track, measure and monitor energy consumption. This strategy optimizes efficiency, contributing to a sustainable and environmentally conscious building.

Turku Smile stands as an iconic Turku landmark and a model for sustainable, socially conscious public infrastructure. It harmoniously integrates nature and architecture, symbolizing an aspiration for the future based on learnings from the past, making it not just a building but a living testament to Finland’s values for the future. The flexibility designed into its core ensures a lasting impact and relevance, making it the ideal Museum of History and the Future.